Fire-Damaged Cedar Rapids Business To Be Redeveloped

Duchess Cleaners was a longtime dry cleaning business in Cedar Rapids whose building on the Northeast side was destroyed last summer. Arsonists have been charged with causing the damage that shut down one of its properties beyond repair for the owners.

That site is getting new life thanks to another local businessman and developer. Enter Zio Johno's and Via Sofia's owner John Khairallah, who will take possession of the property at 3905 Center Point Rd. NE within a couple of weeks, according to a Gazette report.

The report doesn't say Khairallah will be turning it into a Via Sofia's or Zio Johno's restaurant, but that he will buy it, fix it up and hopefully have it ready to lease out by next Spring.

Via Sofia's already has a Cedar Rapids location a short distance down the road at 5411 Center Pt. Rd. NE in addition to one at 1125 1st Avenue SE. There are Zio Johno's locations in the Cedar Rapids metro area at 2925 Williams Pkwy SW, 5741 C St SW in Cedar Rapids and 755 7th Ave. in Marion.

We'll keep you updated on what becomes of the former Duchess Cleaners building under its new ownership and development.